February 14, 2018 | Henry Gomes

Totally Hateable Facts About Jar Jar Binks


In a much beloved film franchise that has a fan base that spans decades and generations, one character from the Star Wars universe stands out like a very sore thumb. The hapless and clumsy Jar Jar Binks has been one of the most criticized aspects of the film series, and for many fans and critics alike, he is emblematic of the problems with the prequel trilogy films that began with the release of Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999. Here are some interesting facts about the Gungan from the planet Naboo.


Jar Jar Binks Facts

24. Jar Jar Binks Played by the King of Pop

At one point Michael Jackson was attached to play Jar Jar Binks. In an interview with VICE, Ahmed Best, who would go onto provide the voice and motion capture of Jar Jar, revealed that Jackson had envisioned portraying the character in prosthetics and makeup, while director George Lucas wanted CGI. According to Best, Lucas was also fearful that the character, as played by Jackson, would overshadow the entire film.

Taping of American Bandstands 50th...Getty Images

23. From Broadway to the Big Screen

Casting director Robin Gurland first spotted Best while he was a member of the Broadway cast of Stomp. Best displayed acrobatic and athletic movements that the production initially wanted for Jar Jar.

Jar Jar Binks facts Wikipedia

22. The Goofy Inspiration Behind Jar Jar Binks

After Lucasfilm—the production company behind Star Wars—had been purchased by Disney, George Lucas revealed that Jar Jar Binks was inspired by the canine Disney mainstay Goofy.

Jar Jar Binks facts Pixabay

21. A CGI and Motion Capture Pioneer

While his antics may have been off-putting, the technology behind Jar Jar was truly groundbreaking. The use of CG and motion capture to depict Jar Jar on the big screen was the first for a main character (made entirely of CG) in a film.

Jar Jar Binks facts Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

Advertisement

20. Fan Theory to a Darker Binks

A Reddit user by the name of Lumpawarroo created quite a stir in the Star Wars fan community when he proposed a theory that suggested that Jar Jar Binks was slated to be an integral villain of the saga, which would unfold in Episodes II and III. He would eventually be revealed to be Darth Jar Jar and a collaborator of Emperor Palpatine. However, according to the Redditor, these plans were dropped due to the negative fan reaction surrounding the character. Although Ahmed Best seemed to confirm this theory, the producers at LucasFilm refuted them.

Jar Jar Binks facts Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

 

19. Name Origin

The name Jar Jar was inspired by the name of George Lucas’ son Jett Lucas. Like Jar Jar Binks, Jett Lucas had cameos in both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), Lucasfilm

18. The Bard Does Jar Jar

Jar Jar makes an appearance in Ian Doescher’s book William Shakespeare’s The Phantom Menace: Star Wars Part the First —a Shakespearean retelling of Episode I written in verse. Straying from the films, Doescher repositions Jar Jar as a more nuanced character with a great deal of insight and wisdom.

Jar Jar Binks factsWikimedia Commons

17. Episode II: A Standalone Jar Jar Binks Film

Much to the surprise of Star Wars fans and film buffs, the original working title for Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones was Jar-Jar’s Big Adventure. However, this was simply a joke by director George Lucas, who was making a not-so subtle dig at the negative detractors of poor Jar Jar.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), Lucasfilm

16. Box Office Success

Despite the largely negative fan reaction to Jar Jar Binks’ extended screen time, The Phantom Menace was the biggest box office hit in 1999. The movie made over $400 million at the domestic box office, and counting subsequent re-releases over the years, it has accumulated over $1 billion worldwide.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

Factinate

Sign up to our newsletter.

History’s most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Making distraction rewarding since 2017.

Thank you!
Error, please try again.

15. Worst Character…Ever?

 Jar Jar Binks is widely considered to be one of the worst Star Wars characters of all time. But the authors of an ABCnews.com article took it even further and named Jar Jar Binks as the worst character from any film or television series. Ouch!

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

Advertisement

14. A Sans-Jar Jar Star Wars

Fan reaction to The Phantom Menace was mixed to say the least. Film editor Mike J. Nichols decided to take matters into his own hands, and distributed a highly edited version of the movie called The Phantom Edit. Nichols sought to rectify some of the glaring missteps of the original and make an overall better film. One of the most prominent changes was the re-editing of nearly all the scenes involving Jar Jar.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

13. Silent Film Inspiration

 One of Jar Jar’s most prominent characteristics is his clumsiness. Actor Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar, took some inspiration from silent film star Buster Keaton, who was renowned for his very physical brand of comedy.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

12. While the Force Awakens, Jar Jar Remains Dormant

Ahead of the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, the first new live action feature length film of the series in years—many fans were speculating if Jar Jar Binks would be showing up to the party. J.J. Abrams even suggested that the not-so lovable character might be referenced—specifically, the film would make an allusion to Jar Jar's death. Alas, The Force Awakens was devoid of the Gungan from Naboo.

Jar Jar Binks factsWikipedia

11. Video Game Appearances

Jar Jar Binks has made many appearances in the various Star Wars video games that have been released over the years. He has a prominent role in the video game released in conjunction with the release of The Phantom Menace, has been featured in the popular LEGO Star Wars series, and in a Star Wars-themed edition of Angry Birds.

Jar Jar Binks factsFlickr, Ina Centaur

10. Frozen in Carbonite

Perhaps the most interesting Jar Jar Binks video game appearance is the one in the 2008 game The Force Unleashed, where Jar Jar appears to be encased in carbonite, the same fate that briefly befell Han Solo in the original trilogy of films. A real-life statue of Jar Jar Binks frozen in carbonite is on display in the LucasFilm offices.

Jar Jar Binks factsFlickr, Andrew

9. Deadpool Is Apparently Not a Fan of the Prequel Trilogy

Jar Jar Binks is referenced in a 2009 issue of the Deadpool comic book and, as is often the case, the reference was not positive. Deadpool takes exception to one character’s admiration for the prequel trilogy films and shoots him in the head as a result. He subsequently forces another character to say “Jar Jar Binks is an abomination!”

Jar Jar Binks factsFlickr, big-ashb

Advertisement

8. Simpsons Did It!

Chances are if you’ve been a pop culture phenomenon in the last 30 years or so, you have been lampooned on The Simpsons. It’s no different for Jar Jar Binks and The Phantom Menace, which were both parodied in a 2004 episode of the long-running series. In the episode, Bart and Lisa express dissatisfaction with the latest Cosmic Wars release, and were particularly annoyed by the presence of a character named Jim-Jam Bonks, who bears a striking resemblance to Jar Jar Binks.

Jar Jar Binks facts The Simpsons (1989– ), 20th Century Fox Television

7. Stop Motion Jar Jar

Jar Jar was also featured in the special Star Wars tribute episodes of the stop motion series Robot Chicken. In all his appearances on the show, Jar Jar Binks is voiced by Ahmed Best, who also voiced the character in the films.

Jar Jar Binks factsRobot Chicken (2005– ), Stoopid Buddy Stoodios

6. Jar Jar’s First Parody

One of the first parodies of Jar Jar Binks in a television series came in a 1999 episode of the animated series South Park, which aired only a month after The Phantom Menace hit theatres. In the episode, a species of rather clumsy creatures called Jakovasaurs wreak annoying havoc on the townspeople of South Park, Colorado. One of them is even called Joon-Joon. This wasn’t the first time creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone attempted to parody Jar Jar Binks. They had tried a few weeks earlier to make a sketch poking fun at the Star Wars character at the MTV Movie Awards, but MTV refused to air the piece.

Jar Jar Binks factsSouth Park (1997– ), Comedy Central

5. Re-Animated in Animation

Jar Jar Binks has a rather sizeable role in the animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In the show, he is once again voiced by Ahmed Best.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020), Lucasfilm

4. The Fate of Jar Jar

The 2017 novel Star Wars: Aftermath: Empire’s End by Chuck Wendig reveals the fate of Jar Jar Binks. The novel states that Jar Jar has become a lowly street performer. Although he is found amusing by children, adults are easily annoyed by his presence and blame him for the ascendancy of the Empire. Chris Taylor wrote that this turn for Jar Jar Binks is a nod to the real-life reception of the character following the release of The Phantom Menace.

Jar Jar Binks factsWikimedia Commons

3. Racist Stereotypes

Although a lot of the criticism directed at Jar Jar is fuelled by his clumsiness and overall unfunny qualities, many people were put off by him because he seems to share qualities of minstrel shows that perpetuated negative stereotypes of African Americans. His accent and dreadlock-inspired hair seem to also suggest black Caribbean stereotypes. Both George Lucas and Ahmed Best, the creator and voice of Jar Jar Binks respectively, have denied all accusations of racial caricatures surrounding the character.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

Advertisement

2. Love from Queen Amidala

Jar Jar finally received some much needed love in the form of a shout out in a 2018 Saturday Night Live sketch written by comedy musical group The Lonely Island. In “Natalie’s Rap 2.0”—a sequel to 2006’s “Natalie’s Rap”—actress Natalie Portman, reprising her role of Queen Padme Amidala from the prequels, aggressively defends the Star Wars prequel trilogy films, threatening a person at gunpoint and demanding, “Say something [expletive] nice about Jar Jar Binks.”

Jar Jar Binks factsSaturday Night Live (1975– ), NBC

1. Return of the Jar Jar?

With the Star Wars film universe ever expanding, it raises the question if Jar Jar Binks will ever grace the big screen once again. Director Rian Johnson, who recently helmed Episode VIII: The Last Jedi and will be directing a brand new trilogy of Star Wars films, has expressed interest in reviving many old characters, including Jar Jar Binks.

Jar Jar Binks factsStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Lucasfilm

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19


More from Factinate

Featured Article

My mom never told me how her best friend died. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery.

Dark Family Secrets

Dark Family Secrets Exposed

Nothing stays hidden forever—and these dark family secrets are proof that when the truth comes out, it can range from devastating to utterly chilling.
April 8, 2020 Samantha Henman

Featured Article

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.

Madame de Pompadour Facts

Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.
December 7, 2018 Kyle Climans

More from Factinate

Featured Article

I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life.

These People Got Genius Revenges

When someone really pushes our buttons, we'd like to think that we'd hold our head high and turn the other cheek, but revenge is so, so sweet.
April 22, 2020 Scott Mazza

Featured Article

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but few people know her even darker history.

Catherine of Aragon Facts

Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s First Wife

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but very few people know her even darker history.
June 7, 2018 Christine Tran



Dear reader,


Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? We’re always looking for your input! Please reach out to us to let us know what you’re interested in reading. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from “Life” to “Compact Cars and Trucks” to “A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius.” We’ll get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics you’re interested in. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your time!


Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? At Factinate, we’re dedicated to getting things right. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. We want our readers to trust us. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Please let us know if a fact we’ve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect it’s inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,



The Factinate team




Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.